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The file folder games are all in one book ready to be cut out and glued into file folders. They are not in color (which helps keep the cost of the program down) so you or your kids can color them. Each lesson adds in a fun new game to go along with the skills or letters the child learns. These games are a huge part of what makes this so much fun. The learning that takes place is hands-on and fun.
The Phonetic Farm is one thing you would have to replace for later children. It unfolds into a farm and stickers of the different phonics sounds taught. Each time we learn a new sound, we get to put on the sticker. It is such a fun thing to do~ my daughter loves it! It is also a great way to go back and review the sounds we have already learned.
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Poetry: Learn a poem together~ practice learning the words & sounds from the poem they provide
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Journal and Story Time: We keep a daily journal of things we are learning & doing in our school day. I write this but she likes to tell me what to write. We read a story- we’ve been doing Aesop’s Fables- and discuss the parts of the story (character, summary, plot, climax, etc.)
- Practice Time: This is when we work on the file games, writing practice, Phonetic Farm, and the letters and words we have been learning.
- Work Time: We work on the workbook pages
All of this is done together and takes 45 minutes to an hour to go through the lesson.
Tami says
I’ve been sold on this for a while but still haven’t bought it. I’m excited all over again! Have you used any of their other programs for older kids?
Karyn Tripp says
No, this is all I have tried, but I will definitely be looking into the now that I have seen how great this is.
Brittney says
I have to say, PAL has really opened my son up to reading and made it “real” for him! We are loving it!
Sierra says
Thank you for you’re review! It’s so hard to find reviews on the reading portion if IEW. A couple questions. How long does it take you to prepare the lessons? Just from looking online, it looks kind of teacher intensive (compared with something like Good and Beautiful, if you’re familiar with that).
Also, do you recommend starting these two programs at the same time? I have a daughter who is just starting to sound out really short words and is excited about it, but I don’t think she’s ready for actual writing. I did order the alphabet/ writing type book so she can practice writing individual letters, but I think I’d wait on writing. But I don’t know. I’d love your thoughts. Thanks!